Improvement in knapsacks



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES 'E. SWENEY, OE CHARLESTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF ANI) WM. H. HOOTEN, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN KNAPSACKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 34,336, dated February 4, 1862.

.To a/ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. SWENEY, of Charlestown, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Knapsacks and the Manner of Suspending or Carrying Them, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the aocompanying drawing, making part of this specification, in which the figure is a view of my improved knapsack.

The ordinary knapsack, as now worn by the soldiers of the United States, is held in place when on the mans back by two shoulderstraps, which pass one over each shoulder, the knapsack lying close againsutJ the mans back. This is objectionable, as the contact of the loaded knapsack heats his back and thus adds to the fatigue of carrying the load, and also makes him liable to be chilled through the back when the knapsack is removed after a march. This tendency to sweat the back has heretofore prevented the introduction of indiarubber or of rubber cloth in the manufacture of knapsacks.

The object of my present invention is to remove this objection of the contact of the knapsack with the mans back; and my invention consists in so suspending the knapsack from the shoulders that there shall be a space for the circulation of air between the back and the knapsack; and my invention further consists in replacing the ordinary shoulder-straps with shoulder-pads of a form and size suited to the form of the top of the mans shoulders, by which the weight of the knapsack can be more comfortably carried.

That others skilled in the art may understand and use myinvention, I will proceed to describe the manner in which I have carried out the same.

In the said drawing, A is the knapsack, which in this case consists of a box of light Wood covered with canvas; but leather, indiarubber, cloth, or other suitable material may be used, and as the form or construction of the knapsack itself is not essential to the embodiment of my invention I will not dwell upon it.

To the back of the knapsack A is attached near each end by rivets 1S a frame -B of thin metal-such as hoop-iron-which is bent over at d, so that the vertical portion b of the frame will stand parallel, or nearly so, to the back of the knapsack and stand off about one inch from it.

From the top of the portion b of each frame B projects a strip c, which is bent to a form nearly corresponding with the shape of the top of a mans shoulder, and to the under side of this strip is attached by rivets or otherwise a pad C of leather or buckskin quilted and stuffed, or sheep-skin with the Wool on may be used. The weight of the knapsack hangs on these strips c and pads C upon the tops of the shoulders, and from the pads setting to the form of the shoulder the weight may be carried much more comfortably than with the ordinary narrow shoulder-straps.

A curved arm d projects from the lower end of the portion b of each frame B toward the middle of the length of the knapsack at its lower edge where the two arms are riveted to a pad D, which bears against the middle of the mans back.

To each end of the pad D is attached a leather strap f, which encircles his body, and is secured in front by a buckle g. This strap also passes through the loops h of two straps Z, which are attached one on each side of the breast to the shoulder-strips c. These straps secure the knapsack in position when the man is marching without binding and contracting the chest and without interfering wit-h the free movements of his arms.

I do not wish to conline myself to the exact form and arrangement of the frames B and the parts connected therewith, as these may be Varied Without departing from the spirit of Iny invention, my main object only being keptvin view, that the knapsack may be supported comfortably and securely on the mans shoulders without its large surface coming into immediate contact with his back.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Suspending the knapsack A on the frames B or their equivalents, so that an air-space may intervene between the knapsack and the back of the wearer, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

2. The shoulder-pads C, in combination with the frame B, for the purpose specified.

CHAS. E. SWENEY. Witnesses:

SAM. COOPER, P. E. TEsoHEMAcHEE. 

